Key Findings from the 2025 Digital Maturity Assessment

The latest Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) reveals significant insights into the use of Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) among NHS providers:

• 93% of NHS providers have implemented EPRs.
• Only 30% of these trusts have achieved fully integrated bi-directional data flows.

Assessment Overview

Conducted annually, the DMA evaluates the digital and data maturity of NHS organizations in England, aligning with the NHS What Good Looks Like framework. The 2025 assessment included responses from 205 NHS trusts and 42 integrated care boards (ICBs), highlighting a wide range of performance levels across the country.

Performance Insights

The findings indicate that:

• Providers excelled in digital leadership and infrastructure.
• Capabilities related to empowering patients and transforming care delivery were less developed.

Top Performers

Among the highest-performing systems, the NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB achieved top scores across multiple digital maturity domains.

Challenges Identified

Despite the progress, the DMA highlights that the low percentage of EPRs with integrated bi-directional data flows is restricting system-wide productivity. Dermot Ryan, director of digital transformation at NHS England, emphasized that these findings serve as a guide for measuring progress rather than a ranking.

Access to Shared Care Records

The survey also found that:

• Almost all providers reported staff access to a shared care record.
• Approximately 90% could access this directly through their EPR or via single sign-on.
• 90% of providers maintained a central data repository, with two-thirds including both clinical and non-clinical data.

Future Directions

As NHS trusts aim for a minimum level of digital maturity by 2025, these findings provide a crucial evidence base for guiding investment and collaboration. Lee Rickles, chief information officer at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, noted the importance of enhancing digital access and engagement for citizens.

Additional Insights from EPR Usability Survey

In a related survey, it was revealed that:

• 60% of doctors and 70% of nurses desire more EPR training.
• 44% reported receiving no further training after joining their organization.

Ryan stated that maximizing the effectiveness of existing digital platforms is essential for achieving the government’s health plan goals.

Conclusion

The DMA findings underscore the need for ongoing efforts to enhance the integration and usability of EPR systems within the NHS, ensuring that both staff and patients benefit from improved digital health solutions.

For more information, refer to the original sources:
Digital Health,
ITSC News,
NHS England.